Be Free or Die

The Astonishing True Story of a Slave Who Risked Everything for Freedom
In 1862, amidst the turmoil of the Civil War, a daring 23-year-old slave named Robert Smalls seized a Confederate steamer in Charleston, South Carolina. With his wife and two young children hidden aboard, Smalls and his small crew navigated through heavily armed fortifications to deliver the valuable vessel to nearby Union forces. His courageous act not only granted freedom to his family but also challenged America's perception of African Americans' resilience in the fight for liberty.
Be Free or Die by Cate Lineberry is a captivating narrative that illuminates Robert Smalls' remarkable journey from enslaved man to Union hero and ultimately United States Congressman. After his escape, Smalls served as a civilian boat pilot in naval campaigns off Charleston, later becoming the first black captain of an Army ship. In a poignant turn of events, he even purchased the home where he and his mother had once been house slaves.
This compelling tale offers insight into the country's initial efforts to aid newly freed slaves while highlighting the struggles and triumphs of African Americans during the Civil War and Reconstruction era. Be Free or Die sheds light on a valuable figure in American history, whose bravery and ingenuity helped reshape a nation.